How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Book.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #10
"It is simply the accident which has happened since that has been the cause of my ruin. I have certainly got thistles for figs in a worldly sense, but how could I tell what time would bring forth?"
"Sometimes, Eustacia, I think it is a judgment upon you. You rightly belonged to me, you know; and I had no idea of losing you." (4.6.29-30)
It is interesting that Eustacia, who's definitely on the whole "fate is a jerk" bandwagon, refers to her situation as an "accident" here. Perhaps this is her way of deflecting blame off herself, a thread she takes up later in the sentence where she rhetorically asks (or asks without expecting an answer) what she could have done to avoid the fix that she's in. Though Damon answers her question with his usual obnoxious commentary, the narrator seems to be prompting the reader to consider Eustacia's question – how does Eustacia evade personal responsibility here and could she have done something to prevent or improve her situation?
Quote #11
"Let it be as you say, then," she replied in the quiet way of one who, though willing to ward off evil consequences by a mild effort, would let events fall out as they might sooner than wrestle hard to direct them." (4.7.23)
This is great character analysis for Eustacia – the word choice here casts Eustacia as lazy in a way. She'll put up a small fight against fate but she won't actively "wrestle" with it or try to change anything.
Quote #12
Yet, instead of blaming herself for the issue she laid the fault upon the shoulders of some indistinct, colossal Prince of the World, who had framed her situation and ruled her lot. (4.8.2)
This is pretty much Eustacia in a nutshell. She won't accept any blame or responsibility, and instead pushes everything off onto some vague deity figure. It's interesting that the word "Prince" is used to refer to the unseen power here – prince is used in reference to both Jesus Christ and to Satan, the "Prince of Darkness."